Shoe-stretching stick



A g- 6, 1929- G. I. GELDER 1,723,849

SHOE STRETCHING STICK Filed Jan; 16, 1929 Patented Aug. 6, 1929.

UNITED STATES GEORGE I. GELDER, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

SHOE-STRETCHING STICK.

AppIication filed January 16, 1929.

This invention relates to devices for stretching or softening shoes, anobject being to provide a stick for the use of shoe dealers and othersfor easing or raising the toe of a shoe, for stretching the vamp, andfor pounding the upper of the shoe or the sole.

Another object of the invention is the pro vision of a device of theabove character which is simple and economical. in construction,efficient in use and may be used with shoes of widely different sizes.

WVith the above and other objects in view,

the invention further includes the following novel features and detailsof construction, to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated inthe accompanying drawing and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing Figure 1 represents a side View of the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view.

Figures 3 and at are sections taken respectively on the lines 3-3 and4P- 1 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like characters of referencedenote corresponding parts, the invention as shown comprises anelongated body or member 10 having straight parallel sides 11 and acurved top and bottom. The top is formed of a compound curve andincludes a raised portion or hump 12 and aninwardly curved portion 18.The bottom is also formed of a compound curve and includes an outwardlyextending portion or hump 14 and an inwardly curved portion 15. The endsof the stick terminate in curved extremities 16 and 17. The edges orcorners of the stick are rounded as indicated at 18.

By reference to the drawing it will be seen that the invention providesa stick which may be formed of any suitable material such as hard wood,metal, etc, having a compound curved body with the height of the stickless at one end than at the other.

Serial No. 332,960.

In the use of the invention, the heavier end of the stick having thecurved extremity 16 is used for mens shoes, while the opposite end isused for ladies and childrens slices. The stick is inserted within thetoe of the shoe and is forced forward into the toe to ease or raise thetoe and make the toe of the shoe a trifle longer. In this use of theinven tion, the hump or raised portion 12 or 141 of the stick ispositioned downward or upon the insole of the shoe.

For stretchingthe vamp of the shoe, the hump of the stick is turnedupward and the stick is turned to the right and left, while to pound theshoe when stretching with a stretching last, the curved portions '13 or15 of the stick are used upon the vamp, and the flat sides of the stickare used to pound upon the soles.

Irrespective of which end of the stick is used, the opposite end of thestick forms a convenient hand grip.

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportionsand minor details of construction and the right is herein reserved tomake such changes as properly fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having described the invention what is claimed is 1. A shoe stretchingstick comprising an elongated member having separate parallel sides, anupwardly curved top spaced from one end of said member, an in 'ardlycurved bottom, and a rounded extremity at said end.

2. A shoe stretching stick comprising an elongated member havingseparate parallel sides, a compound curved top and bottom definingreversely disposed humps spaced from opposite ends of said member withthe height of the hump greater at one end than at the other, and,rounded extremities at opposite ends of the stick.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

GEORGE I. GELDER.

